When it comes to treating gastroesophageal cancer, one important biomarker to know is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).
HER2 biomarkers are proteins found on the surface of cells that help with cell growth and repair. Cancers with high amounts of HER2 protein or HER2 genes are called HER2-positive and tend to grow and spread quickly to other parts of the body.
Knowing your HER2 status is important when finding the best treatment options for stomach and esophageal cancer. About 1 in 5 cases of stomach cancer are HER2- positive, which means HER2-blocking drugs may be an effective treatment option.
However, not all anti-HER2 treatments are successful for stomach cancer. One reason is the HER2 heterogeneity of stomach cancer, which means that not all the cancer cells are identical in stomach cancer like they are in other types of HER2-positive cancers, like breast cancer. The level of HER2 can also change over time or after treatment.
HER2 testing is routine for advanced gastroesophageal cancer, so it’s important to make sure you are tested for HER2, talk to your clinician about your HER2 test results and discuss how the results may impact your treatment plan.
